Speak out about your faith - Easter Message
Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney
Media Release
2018 Easter Message
Archbishop Dr Glenn Davies
‘Speak out about faith’ says Sydney Archbishop
The leader of Australia’s largest Anglican Diocese, the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Glenn Davies, has urged Christians to talk about their faith, especially at Easter.
Dr Davies said free speech about faith and spirituality has always been difficult.
“These days there is a lot of talk about free speech – are we really allowed to talk freely about faith?” Dr Davies said. “It was the same in Jesus’ day. The Roman rulers wanted to control the influence of religion on public life.”
Dr Davies also said there had been self-censorship on contentious subjects.
“Christians naturally want to speak about their faith at Easter – after all, isn’t the news of Jesus’ defeat of death by his resurrection to life – the most important thing we can consider?”
The Archbishop also cited a survey which showed that when gathering with friends, more than half of all Australians are willing to talk about religion or spirituality. The survey indicated that the youngest Australians, Generation Z, are the most comfortable talking about it.
“Many will tell you the so-called i-generation is rejecting faith – but I don’t see that at all. The timeless events of Easter and Jesus’ love for us are vital truths for everyone – at least Gen Z is willing to talk about it – are you?” the Archbishop said.
Archbishop Davies will preach at St Andrew's Cathedral on Easter Day (Sunday).
(Full text of Easter Message follows)
The main service at St Andrew’s Anglican Cathedral, Sydney Square (next to the Town Hall) on Good Friday will be at 10am led by the Dean, the Very Rev Kanishka Raffel. Archbishop Davies will preach on Easter Day (Sunday) at 10:30 am. Filming points and audio will be available. The Easter message is available in text (attached), broadcast video and audio.
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To arrange coverage, email Archbishop’s Media Adviser, Russell Powell
2018 Easter Message
These days there is a lot of talk about free speech – are we really allowed to talk freely about faith?
It was the same in Jesus’ day. The Roman rulers wanted to control the influence of religion on public life.
But there is also self-censorship – I remember my mother telling me there are three things you don’t talk about - politics, religion and how much someone earns!
Christians naturally want to speak about their faith at Easter – after all, isn’t the news of Jesus’ defeat of death by his resurrection to life – the most important thing we can consider?
A recent survey revealed that when gathering with friends, more than half of all Australians are willing to talk about religion or spirituality. But the youngest Australians, Generation Z, are the most comfortable talking about it.
Many will tell you the so-called i-generation is rejecting faith – but I don’t see that at all. The timeless events of Easter and Jesus’ love for us are vital truths for everyone – at least Gen Z is willing to talk about it – are you?
Dr Glenn N Davies
Archbishop of Sydney
Easter AD 2018
